Gifts were opened revealing footballs, basketballs, books, games, electronic equipment, perfume, candies, diapers and dolls. The familiar boxes of handkerchiefs and socks for Dad, from John, Scott and Ben, were always welcome.

Last but not least, I asked that the big box be lifted from behind the tree. "To my Woody from your Lucy" was printed on the tag. A curious look was on his face as he tore away the red wrapping paper. He lifted the lid to the box but it looked empty. The letter inside was small, and the mystery continued.

I asked him to read it aloud. "This is for my dear husband. I am sorry I couldn't shop for a surprise gift for you this year. However, this is not an empty box. I packed it full to overflowing with kisses and hugs of devoted love for you, my beloved."

Next, the best part came quickly as we exchanged some of those kisses and hugs. Special love came down on this special Christmas even though I could not go out to shop. 

Each time we sing that lovely hymn, "Love Came Down At Christmas," I remember that unique way of expressing my love to my husband. 

We are assured that it was God who gave the most glorious gift of all - Himself. "...she gave birth... and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn ( Luke 2:7). 

A British poet of the nineteenth-century, Christina Rossetti, expressed that powerful truth when she wrote, "Love Came Down At Christmas."  She used the word "love" eleven times in three short stanzas. It was first published in her poetry collection, "A Reading Diary of 1885."

The traditional Irish melody that we sing today was added years later, in 1927, by David Evans. He took a little poem in England and gave it wings of song that continue to travel throughout the land. 

When all the gifts are opened on Christmas morn, and only the torn wrappings are left under the tree, let us pray that love was tucked into every gift.

Oh God, our Father, your perfect Love came down at Christmas. May our lives be an expression of that love when we give to others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Lucy Neeley Adams  has always loved music. She began telling the story of hymns on Christian radio WWGM in Nashville, TN, in the '80s. She then wrote a newspaper column titled "Song Stories" for five years. During that time Lucy's book, 52 Hymn Story Devotions, was published by Abingdon Press in Nashville. Each of the 52 stories contained in the book is written in a devotional format, with the words of the hymn concluding each devotion. She may be reached for comment at lucya424@aol.com. Visit her at 52hymns.com